No plan to stop runaway rents – Mayo TD

Mayo saw the 6th highest increase is the State at 11.7 per cent

A Mayo TD has commented on the publication of the quarterly rent index by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

The figures show that rents have risen on average by 7% across the state this year.

Deputy Rose Conway Walsh said: “The RTB rent quarterly rent index for Q2 of 2021 indicates that rents have risen by 7% annually in the state.

“Rents in Dublin have breached the 4% rent cap that was in place and have risen by 4.4%. Rents outside Dublin have risen by an alarming 10%.

“The figures show that rents are rising the fastest in Leitrim, with the county experiencing 17.3% year-on-year growth.

"Laois, Sligo, Wicklow, Mayo, Offaly, Kilkenny, Longford and Clare all showed increases of more than 10% during the same timeframe.

“Mayo saw the 6th highest increase is the State at 11.7 per cent. The average rent has increased from 707 euro a month to 790 euro in just one year.

“These figures are under the earlier rental rules and are not subject to the revised cap linking rents to inflation.

"However, these caps only apply to rent pressure zones meaning it does not apply anywhere in Mayo.

“The government has no plan to tackle the serious issues in the renal market. That much is clear from reading the new housing plan and listening to the Minister for Housing.

“The delivery of the long-promised cost rental legislation is slow and even then, most of these rents will not be genuinely affordable.

“Ordinary people cannot afford to rent nor can they afford to buy. They remain stuck. This is not a normal way to live and it cannot continue.

"I are seeking a ban on rent increases for three years and the introduction of a refundable tax credit worth one month’s rent for private rented sector tenants."